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UEFA could change rule that left Arsenal at a huge disadvantage against PSG

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UEFA is reportedly exploring a change to the Champions League format for next season in response to the concerns raised after Arsenal’s semi-final exit against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners faced a tough task at Parc des Princes, entering the second leg with a one-goal deficit. Hopes of a comeback were dashed early, as Ousmane Dembele found the net within three minutes, setting the tone for a difficult night in Paris.

PSG, needing only a draw at home to advance to the final in Munich, delivered a dominant display. A 2-1 victory on the night secured their place in the final, thanks in large part to the brilliance of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The Italian goalkeeper produced several key saves across both legs, playing a crucial role in preserving PSG’s advantage.

While Arsenal managed to pull one goal back through Bukayo Saka late in the match, it wasn’t enough.

Many Arsenal supporters were left questioning why a team that topped their group and finished well ahead of PSG in the standings wasn’t rewarded with home advantage in the second leg. Their earlier 2-0 victory over the French side in London only added to the frustration.

Under current UEFA regulations, knockout round fixtures are determined through an open draw, regardless of group performance.

This system saw Arsenal, despite being a seeded team, play both their quarter-final and semi-final second legs away from home. The atmosphere at Parc des Princes was intense and undoubtedly boosted PSG, who capitalized on their home support to great effect.

According to reports from The i, UEFA officials have held internal discussions and are considering adjustments to ensure a fairer system moving forward.

The proposed format would guarantee seeded teams a second-leg home tie until they face another seeded side. In that scenario, the team with the higher group-stage ranking would host the decisive match.

Mikel Arteta expressed pride in his squad’s journey despite another season without silverware. This marks five consecutive years without a major trophy for the North London side.

Arteta highlighted the progress his team has made, noting that just two years ago, few believed Arsenal would even qualify for the Champions League, let alone reach the semi-finals and contend domestically.

Arteta emphasized that while the disappointment is real, the growth and development of the team are undeniable.

The Gunners pushed PSG to the limit and came close to turning the tie around. The Spanish manager believes the experience gained this season will be vital in taking the next step.

As Arsenal fans reflect on what might have been, attention now shifts to UEFA’s potential reform. If implemented, the new rule could provide a fairer structure that rewards strong group-stage performances and eliminates the current imbalance.

Whether or not home advantage would have changed Arsenal’s fate remains uncertain, but the debate has sparked a necessary conversation about fairness in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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